King Rehoboam was the son of Solomon and Naamah. Naamah was one of Solomon’s many wives who drew him away from the true God and led him to evil idol worship. 

1 Kings 14:21-22 let’s us know that not only did Naamah influence Solomon, but their son Rehoboam as well. 

2 Chronicles 12:13-14 reiterates that Rehoboam was the son of Naamah, “and he did evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the Lord.”

While Rehoboam reigned, Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord, more evil than their fathers before them. They build idol altars on every hill and under every tree. They had male cult prostitutes. They followed all the abominations of the pagan nations.

In the fifth year of Rehoboam’s reign, the king of Egypt came and stole the treasures from the Lord’s house as well as the treasures of the king’s house. He took away the shields of gold that Solomon had made, and King Rehoboam made in their place shields of bronze. He gave them to the palace guards. 

Throughout Rehoboam’s reign, there was war between him and Jeroboam. In verse 31, which recounts his death, we’re reminded again that his mother’s name was Naamah, the Ammonite. 

The Bible authors wanted us to know the influence that women had on their husbands and sons. Throughout the Old Testament we find testimony like these with Naamah where the mother’s name is listed, followed by Scripture indicating that the son did evil in the sight of the Lord or followed the Lord like his mother. 

Let us never underestimate the power a mother exercises over her family.

Read about Naamah in the Bible:

1 Kings 14:21-31